my subframe is f%%%ed up!! the left side is 1 inch higher than the other.... what can i do now??what are my options? i have a 53 buick special 2 dr. the subframe is a front steer camaro....should i drive it off a cliff and forget about it??or is there a way to save this car??

depending on how the new nose is attached, it sounds like you need to start all over. can the welds(if any)be ground off?you might be better finding a rusted out bomb in a backyard somwhere, yanking the frame, scrapping the body, and beginning the project new altogether. Good luck

It will be savable....about 50% of my businees is cuttting sub frames and poorly installed stangII out .. Get the nose off it and start measuring.
Now you need to get a level place to do all this.You need to weld 4 legs on the chassis with adust ment screws.(1x1 tubing is good with a 3/4 nut and bolt welded to it) The legs need to be welded on the chassis at about what ride height you want the car(forget the front clip for now)and dont weld them to the clip only just behind the firewall and just in front of the rear axle. Now level the bad boy out side to side.Now is also the time to put the rake in the chassis that you want to run.(angle of the rocker panels) Now remove the clip(sawsall and diecutter can usally save it if it was not butchered to badly) Now you need to find a center line for the front tires..mark it on the floor. Next pop the springs out of the clip(becarefull) Now flip the clip upside down and get the lower a frames level(inner pivot even with the center of the balljoint.Weld a strap on each a-frame to the frame(takes the place of the spring) Take a thin tape measure and make sure both tire are the same diameter.(i cut out ply wood wheels the same dia i am going to use) Now get the clip back right side up.Next take the clip and level the lower a-frames(NOT THE UPPERS cause there is anti dive built into that clip) the back of the lower a frame can be a touch lower(no more than and 1/4) Next weld 4 legs on your clip(2 in the front bumper area and 2 near the back) Now go mate the 2.Thats a whole nother story. But i think this gives a good idea of how much work there is to putting a clip on correctly. Just a side note the frame rails dont have to be level were they meet,cause you are putting the rack in this way. I also like to put a string across the lower ball joints and use that for a tire center line(i allway s go 1/2 inch forward of the center line on the floor to make up for caster and put the front fenders on. OK is that way to much info????? Boy do i get carried away with this stuff. Glad i dont do them anymore.Just buy a stang II and in 5 to 8 hours it rolls out the shop door. Good luck Buddy.

Listen to what Phat says. I had an almost identical problem, a nova subframe welded onto the frame of my 35 ford crooked. It was off an inch and a half on one side. My air cut off tool which is similar to a die grinder (uses small stiff carborondum discs) enabled me to cut off the old weld and re-position the clip. I'm afraid a cutting torch might have been too aggressive and ruined the frame. The cut off tool enables you to have precision, just takes a little longer. Believe me, there's hope here for a fresh start using your frame and clip.

Just one tip here about the cut off wheels....i learned this the hard way so....If you use any kind of cut off wheel try to file or cut the clip clean after. The wheel that is silcon(sand,dirt) based.It contaments the weld.(sorry i cant spell worth a crap).It drove me nuts for years till i figured every thing i cut with a sawsall and welded came out real nice ..but if i cut with the wheel it spit in the middle of the weld.So guys some of you are better weldors than you give yourself credit for..the cut off wheels are great for cuttiing the clip.But clean the edge with a file or make a finally cut with the saw. I like to use the plasma cutter...But i am sure not all of us have one just layin around. Hope some of this junk helps you do it for yourself.Or at least know if your getttin a good job.

thanks alot for your replies!!! i really appreciate it....hopefully this repair wont set me back too far. i was planning on getting it painted..i guess ill have to smooth it out and shoot it with some epoxy primer on for now..
thanks again!!
kevvv

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